Why The Heathen Rage

Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. Psalm 2:1-4

I find it interesting what the heathen, in this passage, are rebelling against: "bands" and "cords". Apparently even in David's day, people were trying to be "freed" from the "restrictions" of God. Nothing changes. Mankind has always rebelled against following God. No matter how simple it is (don't eat of this ONE tree) or how logical it is (husbands, love your wives), people are going to chafe at being told what to do. They're going to say it's just too restrictive a lifestyle...and God's supposed to be all about love anyway, right? So what I do doesn't matter! And God laughs at their foolishness. He shakes His head as they wander confused and dazed and frustrated through life while those who choose to follow the way He's laid out stride along with purpose and peace even in the darkest night. A winding, wide way and a straight, narrow way. No, nothing ever changes.

One-Sided Wars

And Saul was yet more afraid of David, and Saul became David's enemy continually. 1 Samuel 18:29

This is the official launch of the most frustrating war ever: Saul v. ...well, Saul. See, Saul made himself David's enemy, but his problem was David wasn't playing. This was a one-sided war; and that's just a big headache for everyone. There are people in life who are going to be our enemy no matter what we do. They're going to wage war against us whether we like it or not, and we can't control that. What we can control is whether or not WE are THEIR enemy. We don't have to "play". Let them fight their little one-sided war--they WILL lose.

Who's It Gonna Be?

For he remembered his holy promise, and Abraham his servant. Psalm 105:42 God has a pretty good memory. As in, He never forgets unless He chooses to forget. In this passage we see that God remembered Abraham, and that had some pretty significant impact on many lives...several generations later. I mean, we're talking about hundreds of years from the time God dealt with Abraham to the time that the Israelites crossed into Jordan, yet we're told here He did it because "He remembered His holy promise, and Abraham His servant." An entire generation of Israelites were blessed because of Abraham. So I ask: who is going to be blessed because of me? Whose life is going to be impacted (and in what way) by the things I do--or don't do--for God?

What Are We Missing?

But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee. Mark 14:28 I find it amazing that Christ calmly and clearly announces His resurrection, and Peter promptly ignores it to talk about something else. Why? Because Peter's still on the previous topic. Peter wasn't listening because he was too busy preparing his boast that he would never deny the Lord. We often miss things that God is saying to us, not because it's too complicated or mysterious or beyond our comprehension, but because we're not paying attention. We're too distracted by ourselves and our ideas that we miss something important. God is talking to us. He has something to say to us. Let's not miss it because we're thinking about something else or because we're trying to talk over Him. Just shut up and listen. It might be kinda a big deal.

Better Than I Deserve

He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. Psalm 103:10 Have you ever heard someone say they were doing "better than I deserve"? They were spot on, because we ALL are. Every single day we're doing better than we deserve. It's too easy to forget that, because we have a finite, flawed perspective of fairness and justice. We too easily turn a blind eye to our sins and failures and betrayals, and we convince ourselves that we're "not that bad." Oh, but we are! We are every bit that bad and probably worse. And let us try to never forget what a wonderful, amazing thing it is that God has not dealt with us according to our sins and has not given us what we deserve.

Water-Walks, Sunshiney Days, And Keeping Focused

But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. Matthew 14:30

I was thinking today, what if it hadn't been stormy out on the Sea of Galilee that day? What if it had been a nice, sunshiney day with birds singing and a gentle, cool breeze kissing the face of the water? What if Peter had stepped out to walk on the water and looked away at the gently lapping water, the green hillsides in the distance, the cloud-dotted skies and thought, "What a beautiful day!"? I submit to you that...he would have started to sink.
See, we need faith when things are going well, too. It's not like it's something we just need to turn on when the storms come. And it's not any easier, either. I'm sure you've heard someone say, "It's easy to have faith when things are going well." I've probably said it myself. That's not true. It's easy to SAY we have faith when things are going well. Saying and having...two very different things. We can get distracted by the good just as easily (if not more so) than the bad. Don't forget to keep your eyes on the Master when the seas are calm, too!

I Have Confidence

I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things. 2 Corinthians 7:16

That's quite a statement, to say you have confidence in someone in everything. But it's an admirable thing to strive towards. We should inspire confidence in others. Our neighbors and co-workers and friends should have confidence in us. They should just know that we're going to do the right thing even as they ask the question. They should feel like they could trust us with anything and in any situation. We're children of God. How can we claim the name of Christ if we're not confidence-inspiring people?

Believe Me Not

If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. John 10:37

I think every Christian should come with a sign quoting this verse. There are so very many people claiming the name of Christ who aren't doing His works. And I wonder, too, how many would read this and start listing in their minds things like going to church, not having "bad" habits, etc.; yet never even consider the actual list of God attributes we're really supposed to be showing: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. Are we doing these things? Scratch that...forget this "we" stuff...am I doing these things? Because, if I'm not, I certainly hope no one believes me when I label myself with the name of Christ.

Dream Big

From following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Isreal his inheritance. Psalm 78:71

Where do you think David saw himself going from the fields? I imagine David after killing the lion, daydreaming about going to war with his older brothers, bragging about how many enemies he'd slain, being a war hero. But I doubt he ever saw himself killing an unbeatable giant with his slingshot and becoming an instant national hero and household name. I imagine there were times where young David, hot and tired and dusty from pulling some wayward lamb out of a ditch imagined his future self like his father--staying up at the house, shaded and well-fed and clean while someone else did the grunt work. But I find it highly unlikely David ever imagined he would be the king of Israel, ruling over his father and brothers from a palace.
Sometimes we look at where we're at and where we want to be and cannot see how we can possibly get from point A to point B. We expect God to make us settle for something less than our dreams, when it may be that He has something much bigger in store--something beyond even our own seemingly unattainable imaginings. You have no idea what great things God has in store for you around the corner. Don't be afraid to dream big.

Triumph In Christ

Now thanks be to God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, 2 Corinthians 2:14a

God has a plan for you, and I don't mean a specific, "do-this-then-do-that" blueprint. (Not that I'm saying He doesn't have that.) His plan for each and every one of His children, though is victory. God wants you to live a victorious, triumphant life, above your circumstances, joyous and at peace. This is the future God sees for us. This is the PRESENT God sees for us. It's how He wants us to live always, and it's how we CAN live if we're living in Him. There is triumph in Christ--are you experiencing it?

His Joy

Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, Jude 24

Yesterday I talked about how much pride and joy God still takes in creation. But He takes much more joy in His prize creation: you! God loves you. He is interested in you. He is invested in you. He is involved in your life. You are special and valuable to Him, and you give Him great joy. You've seen the pride and joy on a parent's face when they're looking at they're child; many of you have felt that. God feels that same sort of joy in His children. It cost Him greatly to bring you into His family...but He wouldn't trade you for anything. It gives Him immeasurable joy to watch you grow and discover Him in new ways. He enjoys hearing you talk to Him, even in our fumbling, dreadfully inadequate way. God takes pride in creation, but not nearly as much as He does in you!

Still Good

The glory of the LORD shall endure for ever: the LORD shall rejoice in his works. Psalm 104:31

We live in a sin-cursed, decaying world, true. But I think we let that distract us sometimes from how amazing it still is. When God created this world, He declared it "good". And He still takes pride and joy in it. Our world is a beautiful, awe-inspiring, magical place. And it's here for us to enjoy and explore and marvel at. It's here to remind us what a beautiful, awe-inspiring, magical God we have. Let's remember to notice and appreciate the works of God.

The Advantage Of Impact

Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. 2 Corinthians 2:11

We have a capable enough enemy without giving him any added advantage. Yet that's exactly what we so often do. Paul was exhorting the Corinthian church to be uplifting. Why? Because a sad, down Christian is a vulnerable Christian. He encouraged the church to fight negativity in its ranks by: 1) being positive and not spreading negativity to one another, 2) forgiving each other, and 3) comforting those feeling down or guilty.
The bottom line is we have a choice in our inter-personal relations--we can either be a negative influence causing sadness and depression, or we can be a positive influence lifting peoples' spirits and encouraging them. Every interaction has an impact on our spirit. What sort of impact are you making?

He Remembers

He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations. Psalm 105:8

There are alot of promises in the Bible. Promises of God's provision. Promises of God's protection. Promises of God's presence. Promises of His patience, pardon, purpose, and perfecting. Hundreds of them. More than we can even keep up with. But He hasn't forgotten a one! He remembers that He promised to never leave you. He remembers He promised to work everything out for your ultimate good. He remembers His promise to forgive and forget your sins and failures. He remembers that He said He'd finish what He started in your life. He hasn't forgotten...and He never will. He will fulfill each one of them!

Willing Fools

Other mocking said, These men are full of new wine. Acts 2:13

This is the coming down of the Spirit at Pentecost--the apostles preached in their language, but everyone present, people from all over the world, heard in their own tongues. An undeniable miracle. And yet there were scoffers. It never ceases to amaze me how willingly ignorant people can be, but they are. They always have been. They always will be. There will always be some who will deny the Truth no matter how plainly and dramatically it is demonstrated to them. There will always be some calling us crazy for believing God, for trusting Him, for taking Him at His Word. They have adopted a religion of dis-belief and skepticism. And there's absolutely nothing you can do to change that. Don't be discouraged by these people. Don't let it get to you. Christ Himself was met with such foolishness. All we can do is tell. Share the truth--what they do with it is on them.

Do A Little Dance

Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. Psalm 150:4

When I was a kid there was a sitcom called "Perfect Strangers" that my family really enjoyed. One of the main characters, an incurably optimistic immigrant named Balki, would often get excited and happy about some turn of events and say, "Now I do the dance of joy!" I wonder: how long has it been since we did the dance of joy? Dancing is a word that alot of Christian circles have become afraid of for no good reason. Dancing is a natural response to pure joy like laughter and smiling. It is universal. It is instinctive. And, here in the Psalms, it is encouraged. After all, with all that God has done for us, shouldn't we be bubbling with excitement and joy? Shouldn't we barely be able to contain ourselves from singing and dancing to celebrate the wonderful, amazing life and salvation we have in Him? Yes! We should! So think about it for a few minutes today, and see if you aren't inspired to do a little dance of joy.

Things That Go Bump In The Night

Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Psalm 91:5

There are so many problems we see bearing down on us as we go through life--arrows by day, if you will--things that we can recognize and identify. But often more frightening are the ones we can't see, the worries and fears, the what-ifs, the unknown...the terrors by night. We fear what we can't see or understand because we feel even less in control than usual. But the fact of the matter is, we're not in control either way, whether we see the problem or not, whether we understand it or not. It's almost always out of our control. That doesn't mean we have to be afraid, though! God hasn't given us a spirit of fear; if we're living in fear, it's because we're trying to live through ourselves. Stop it! We have a Spirit of power, wisdom, and a sound mind Who can handle all of our problems, trials, and dangers--even the ones that go bump in the night.

Endeavouring For Unity

Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:3

Unity and peace--words to live by as children of God. Particularly among ourselves. And yet so often we forget all about them. How often we fight and bicker with one another over things that seem so important but are reall so very petty! How often we gossip and cut each other down and stab one another in the back! There is no room for self-righteousness and pride in a faith of unity and peace. They simply cannot co-exist. The bonds of unity and peace between ourselves and our Christian fellows will be tested and occassionally undone--we're human; it's inevitable. But the point is, are we endeavoring to maintain them? Are we even trying? Or are we contributing to their collapse?

Nothing Vs. Something

For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. 2 Corinthians 13:8

From the very beginning of human history there have been opponents to the truth. God and His Word have been despised, ignored, replaced, forgotten, cursed, and denied for thousands of years, yet they exist. They live on in spite of any and all adversity because there is nothing that can stop Truth. It is, quite simply, because it IS. Sound familiar? "I am that I am." God is. The Word of God is. And no one and nothing can change that. We can do nothing against that. But we can do something FOR that. We can share that God is. We can expand the knowledge of the truth. We can make a difference in a world that desperately needs good news. So the only real question we have to ask ourselves as human beings is, Do I want to strive against the truth and accomplish nothing, or strive for the truth and actually have something to show for my life?

Right In Front Of Us

And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation. Mark 8:12

These people had seen Jesus feed thousands of people, seen him heal the sick and cast out devils. They had seen this, heard this, witnessed it. And they asked Him for...a sign. Really?! After all that, you don't think you've seen a sign? Crazy, right? But we do the same thing. God works in our lives every day in ways that we miss. We're held up at work unexpectedly only to run into traffic due to an accident we very well could've been in had we not been delayed. God. We miss an opportunity that we really were hoping for only to have a better one we never expected pop up days or hours later. God. We find ourselves in impossible situations only to have the problems inexplicably dematerialize. God. We witness doctors give up on loved ones--or ourselves--only to watch them miraculously recover with zero medical explination. God.
God works in big ways, He works in little way, but He always works. He's constantly giving us signs of His interest and involvement in our lives. Are we missing what's right in front of us?

Covering Up

Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins. Proverbs 10:12

Our culture is obsessed with knowing everything. From celebrity gossip to demanding the release of confidential intel from the military and government, we feel this inexplicable need to know everything about everything...and everyone. And, you know what? Sometime it's just none of our business! Some things we're better off not knowing. Some things, if made common knowledge, create unimaginable problems; problems that never would have existed if we'd just let sleeping dogs lie. This is a principle (like many) that can be applied on any scale, with any relationship. We just need to learn that there are times when the right thing to do is to let it go. That there is a time for full disclosure, but more times for partial disclosure. We don't need to know everyone's past or failures or faults; and we certainly don't need to divulge everyone's past, failures, and faults. We are called to love, love demands forgiveness, and forgiveness requires overlooking some things. I guess the question we have to ask ourselves is, am I stirring things up, or letting them be?

But Thou Art Holy

O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent. But thou art holy, Psalm 22:2-3a

Ever feel like God just doesn't hear you? You're at your wit's end, you need an answer, like, yesterday and...nothing. It seems like God is just ignoring you. He isn't. And He hasn't gone deaf. And He hasn't forgotten you or abandoned you. And, yes, He still exists. "But thou art holy." Just because you have no clue what God is doing does not mean He doesn't. The Lord knows what you need. He knows better than you do. He also knows exactly when you need it, and He will have it there! When you can't see God working, know that He does have it under control--you just can't see it yet.

Where Is Your Line?

And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there. 1 Kings 19:3

Elijah just experienced the greatest victory of his life. He'd witnessed God's awesome power in a way that brooked no argument. Yet he immediately turns and runs when a woman swears (by the same gods whose impotence he just witnessed) to kill him. Why? He trusted God with the sacrifices on Mount Carmel. He trusted God with the rain. But when it came to protecting his life, well, that was Elijah's line.
We all have one, you know--a line. A line where our trust in God runs out. It may not be at your life. It may be at your finances or your career or your family or your relationship. But there is something in your life that you find harder to "let go and let God." I won't try to psycho-analyze the myriad reasons that can contribute to our inability to trust in our various areas, in part because there are simply too many and in part because it just doesn't matter. The bottom line is, until we erase that line and learn to trust God in that area we find it hardest, we'll keep finding ourselves under another juniper--exhausted, depressed, defeated. It's really up to us: Mount Carmel victories or juniper tree defeats?

In Particular

Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. 1 Corinthians 12:27

We are the body of Christ. The church. The bride. We are one. And yet, we are many. We are individuals. We are different. We are unique. And we are EACH important. Just because you are part of a unit, of something bigger than ourselves, does not mean you are unimportant. After all, what is a unit without it's respective parts? What was the A-Team without Murdock? Or Face-Man? Or B.A.? None were Hannibal, but each was important for a different reason. And YOU are important. You have a role in this body--this church--and it cannot work correctly without you. Remember that! What you do matters!